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During cryopreservation, a substantial portion of spermatozoa undergoes apoptosis due to cryoinjury, resulting in decreased fertility. Boar spermatozoa are highly sensitive to temperature, with low temperature triggering reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, leading to oxidative stress and apoptosis. Sulforaphane (SFN), a potent natural compound found in cruciferous vegetables, is efficacious in mitigating oxidative stress. We here supplemented different SFN concentrations (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 μM) into the freezing extender to explore its effect on boar sperm during cryopreservation and determine the optimal SFN concentration. Supplementation of 5 μM SFN exhibited the highest sperm motility, motion performance, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and antioxidant properties (total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and antioxidant enzyme activity) after freezing and thawing. Then, RT group, C group and C + SFN group were established to explore the effect of SFN on the cryopreservation-induced sperm apoptosis level and fertilizing capacity of post-thawed sperms. SFN effectively rescued the apoptosis and fertilizing capacity of post-thawed sperms. Mechanistically, SFN activated the redox-sensitive nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2/NFE2L2) by promoting adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation. This activation improved antioxidant defenses, ultimately improving cryoinjury in boar spermatozoa. In summary, SFN suppressed cryopreservation-induced apoptosis of spermatozoa by activating antioxidant defenses and the AMPK/NFE2L2 signaling pathway. These findings suggest a novel approach for augmenting the cryoprotective efficiency and spermatozoa fertility after cryopreservation. • SFN improved the quality of boar spermatozoa after cryopreservation. • SFN increased the antioxidant capacity of boar spermatozoa after cryopreservation. • SFN attenuated boar spermatozoa apoptosis induced by cryopreservation. • SFN exerts the beneficial effects by activating the NFE2L2/AMPK signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advanced oxidation process utilizing peroxymonosulfate (PMS) represents a promising approach for the treatment of refractory antibiotic compounds in water. However, the unactivated form of PMS shows limited degradation efficiency, necessitating the development of activation strategies to improve catalytic degradation. In this study, a rapid and straightforward solvothermal method was employed to synthesize a CuCoO X -modified phenylacetylene copper catalyst (PhC 2 Cu), which effectively activates PMS for the degradation of sulfisoxazole (SIZ) in water. The modified catalyst exhibited a catalytic performance approximately 29 times greater than its unmodified counterpart, achieving complete degradation of the target pollutant within 5 min. Additionally, the PhC 2 Cu/CuCoO X + PMS system successfully degraded nine antibiotics, including sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Notably, the catalytic degradation of pollutants in this system primarily followed a non-radical pathway mediated by singlet oxygen (1O 2) and high-valent cobalt-oxygen species (Co(IV)). These active species demonstrated strong anti-interference properties, maintaining stability in the presence of various ions, dissolved organic matter, and natural water matrices. Furthermore, the intermediates and degradation pathways of sulfisoxazole (SIZ) were identified through mass spectrometry analysis. This study not only provides a catalytic strategy for the efficient activation of PMS but also elucidates the non-radical degradation mechanism. [Display omitted] • PhC 2 Cu/CuCoO X composite was prepared by facile method to activate PMS. •High-valent cobalt-oxo species and 1O 2 were the dominant active species. • DFT calculations proved that the composites enhance PMS interfacial adsorption. • The oxidation system had ideal stability and universal applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

l -cysteine (L-cys) modified ZnS (LZS) quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized by a two-step way. The effects of LZS QDs on the phenotype, biomass, morphology and extracellular protein content of Aspergillus oryzae (A. oryzae) were studied in detail for the first time. The results illustrated that both uncoated and coated QDs had a cubic blend ZnS structure, and the particle size was about 4.0 and 4.3 nm, respectively. It was found that LZS QDs acted as an activator to stimulate the growth of A. oryzae in both solid and liquid media, and the biomass with 50 μg/mL (25 μg/mL) QDs in solid (liquid) medium was the highest and was about 1.65 (3.74) times higher than that in control medium (without QDs). The data of ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) revealed that the protein concentration of A. oryzae was 824.904 and 467.748 μg/mL relating to liquid medium with and without QDs, respectively. This work can provide a new way to increase the production of A. oryzae or microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The skin is an important organ of the human body, and the major skin diseases represented by melanoma are difficult to find and difficult to treat, which directly threaten the patient's life safety. Therefore, rapid and accurate dermatoscopy diagnosis[1] is particularly important. The lack of experienced dermatologists limits the large-scale early diagnosis or screening of melanoma. Based on the above problems, this paper uses the method of multi-scale convolutional neural network to segment the Dermoscopic image by means of image segmentation in artificial intelligence to help medical personnel to achieve reliable diagnostic reference. In the overall segmentation network, this paper first enhances the contrast of the original image through preprocessing, and uses data enhancement and segmentation to increase the dataset. In the model training phase, this paper adopts the basic segmentation framework of U-Net[2] network. Different from U-Net networks, this paper introduces multi-scale features and multi-scale fusion mechanisms to deeply mine and fuse dermoscopic image features. Secondly, the model uses Focal Loss as the fundus segmentation loss function, and finds the optimal parameters of the loss function through a random grid search algorithm. In this paper, for the problem of positive and negative sample imbalance in dermoscopic images, this paper proposes an adaptive Focal Loss loss function and Channel-Wise Attention mechanism to adaptively weight the feature maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is very important to exploit new electrode materials to enhance supercapacitor performances. In this study, the mesoporous cobalt phosphide (CoP) nanowire arrays on carbon cloth have been fabricated by low-temperature phosphidation of hydrothermally obtained Co precursor. The CoP electrode shows a remarkable areal capacitance of 1.89 F/cm 2 at current densities of 3 mA/cm 2 . Furthermore, the electrode exhibits excellent cycling stability (~3% loss after the repetitive 4000 cycles at 18 mA/cm 2 ) and Coulombic efficiency (~97.6% after 4000 cycles). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced oxidation processes based on peroxymonosulfate (PMS) are an efficient strategy to eliminate environmental micropollutants. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been used as activators for PMS, but they still suffer from complex preparation processes and suboptimal catalytic performance. In this study, nitrogen-doped CNTs encapsulating cobalt nanoparticles (CoNCT) were prepared by a facile and economical calcination method using graphitic carbon nitride as a precursor. As expected, this novel CoNCT catalyst could rapidly activate PMS, and the CoNCT/PMS system could efficiently degrade eight types of sulfonamide antibiotics. It should be noted that singlet oxygen rather than the conventional sulfate and hydroxyl radicals were the predominant reactive species in the CoNCT/PMS system, which revealed a non-radical mechanism for the activation of PMS by CNTs. With the benefit of this mechanism, the CoNCT/PMS system maintained good oxidation performance over a wide pH range and exhibited strong resistance to anions, dissolved organic matter, and real water matrixes. This work not only contributes to the development of efficient carbon nanotubes as PMS activators, but also provides comprehensive insights into the non-radical mechanism involved in advanced oxidation processes for environmental decontamination. [Display omitted] • N-doped CNTs wrapped with Co particles (CoNCT) were prepared by a facile method. • The CoNCT/PMS system exhibited excellent performance for sulfonamides oxidation. • The nonradical pathway dominated by 1O 2 was responsible for this oxidation process. • This system had good anti-interference ability to the effects of ambient factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review summarizes the updated knowledge on the toxicity of T-2 on poultry, followed by potential strategies for detoxification of T-2 in poultry diet. The toxic effects of T-2 on poultry include cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, metabolism modulation, immunotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, skeletal toxicity, nephrotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, etc. Cytotoxicity is the primary toxicity of T-2, characterized by inhibiting protein and nucleic acid synthesis, altering the cell cycle, inducing oxidative stress, apoptosis and necrosis, which lead to damages of immune organs, liver, digestive tract, bone, kidney, etc., resulting in pathological changes and impaired physiological functions of these organs. Glutathione redox system, superoxide dismutase, catalase and autophagy are protective mechanisms against oxidative stress and apoptosis, and can compensate the pathological changes and physiological functions impaired by T-2 to some degree. T-2 detoxifying agents for poultry feeds include adsorbing agents (e.g., aluminosilicate-based clays and microbial cell wall), biotransforming agents (e.g., Eubacterium sp. BBSH 797 strain), and indirect detoxifying agents (e.g., plant-derived antioxidants). These T-2 detoxifying agents could alleviate different pathological changes to different degrees, and multi-component T-2 detoxifying agents can likely provide more comprehensive protection against the toxicity of T-2. • T-2 induces oxidative stress, apoptosis and necrosis in cells of poultry. • T-2 induces apoptosis through ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway in poultry. • Glutathione redox system provides protection against T-2-induced oxidative stress. • T-2 detoxification stratigies: adsorption, biotransformation, anti-oxidation, etc. • Microbial cell wall, Eubacterium sp., and plant-derived antioxidants can detoxify T-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fracture filling fluids identification is an important aspect of fractured reservoirs description. It is well known that fracture weaknesses parameters (the normal and tangential weaknesses) are closely related to fracture parameters (fracture density, fracture aspect ratio and fracture fillings). Hence, the fracture filling fluids can be identified after the fracture weaknesses parameters being obtained. The efficient method, which is presented to estimate the fracture weaknesses parameters in this paper, is azimuthally elastic impedance (EI) inversion. We first derive a new azimuthal EI equation which contains fracture weaknesses parameters. Using the formula, we propose a method of seismic inversion for elastic parameters (P-wave and S-wave impedances) and fracture weaknesses parameters. The fluid factor, which is introduced to identify the fluids in fractures, can be estimated after the calculation of elastic and fracture weaknesses parameters. Tests on real data show that the method is more stable and reasonable by reducing the uncertainty for the estimation of elastic parameters and fracture weaknesses parameters. The inverted results are in good agreement with the results of well log data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Dewaxed rice straw (RS) powder (<40 mesh) was acetylated without any other treatment. [•] Comparing to raw RS, acetylated RS has good thermal properties and thermoplasticity. [•] The modified RS can dissolve in CH2Cl2 and was cast molded to form transparent film. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An increasing number of research indicates an association between low-grade bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), and the development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). However, no previous meta-analysis has systematically assessed the risk factors for low-grade bacterial infections that cause IDD. This study reviewed the literature to evaluate the risk factors associated with low-grade bacterial infection in patients with IDD. Systematic review and meta-analysis. The systematic literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Eligible articles explicitly identified the risk factors for low-grade bacterial infections in IDD patients. Patient demographics and total bacterial infection rates were extracted from each study. Meta-analysis was performed using random- or fixed-effects models, with statistical analyses conducted using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4 software.aut. Thirty-three studies involving 4,109 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled low-grade bacterial infection rate was 30% (range, 24%–37%), with P. acnes accounting for 25% (range, 19%–31%). P. acnes constituted 66.7% of bacteria-positive discs. Fourteen risk factors were identified, of which 8 were quantitatively explored. Strong evidence supported male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.65–2.79; p<.00001) and Modic changes (MCs) (OR=3.59; 95% CI=1.68–7.76; p=.0009); moderate evidence of sciatica (OR=2.31; 95% CI=1.33–4.00; p=.003) and younger age (OR=-3.47; 95% CI=-6.42 to -0.53; p=.02). No evidence supported previous disc surgery, MC type, Pfirrmann grade, smoking, or diabetes being risk factors for low-grade bacterial infections in patients with IDD. Current evidence highlights a significant association between IDD and low-grade bacterial infections, predominantly P. acnes being the most common causative agent. Risk factors associated with low-grade bacterial infections in IDD include male sex, MCs, sciatica, and younger age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in the seminal plasma of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients with different histopathologic patterns and evaluate potential noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers of NOA.Design: Sequencing and validation using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).Setting: Reproductive center and research institute.Patient(s): Thirteen patients with NOA (7 Sertoli cell-only syndrome [SCOS] and 6 hypospermatogenesis to spermatogenesis arrest [SA]) and 7 normal fertile controls for sequencing, six samples per group for validation; 54 patients with NOA (27 SCOS and 27 SA) and 19 normal fertile controls for large-sample qRT-PCR analysis.Intervention(s): None.Main Outcome Measure(s): MicroRNA expression profiles in the seminal plasma of patients with NOA with different histopathologic patterns were assessed using high-throughput sequencing and validated using qRT-PCR.Result(s): There were 78 overexpressed and 132 underexpressed miRNAs in patients with SCOS and 32 up-regulated and 90 down-regulated miRNAs in patients with SA compared with fertile men with normozoospermia. Two down-regulated and one up-regulated miRNA were validated using qRT-PCR, which indicated that the qRT-PCR and sequencing results were basically consistent. Hsa-miR-34c-5p expression was significantly lower in the seminal plasma of patients with NOA than normal fertile controls. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC) for hsa-miR-34c-5p was 0.979 and 0.987 in the seminal plasma of patients with SA and patients with SCOS, respectively, compared with normal fertile controls. The AUC was 0.799 for hsa-miR-34c-5p in the seminal plasma between patients with SA and patients with SCOS. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed miRNA target genes revealed that the Notch signaling pathway was one of the most abundant signaling pathways. The expression of Hes5, an effector of the Notch signaling pathway, was significantly higher in the seminal plasma of patients with NOA than normal fertile controls.Conclusion(s): MicroRNA expression profiles in seminal plasma were altered in patients with NOA compared with normal fertile controls. The profiles differed in patients with NOA with different pathologic patterns. We speculate that miR-34c-5p in seminal plasma could be a potential noninvasive biomarker to diagnose patients with NOA and distinguish different pathologic types of NOA. The Notch signaling pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of NOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sand physico-chemical properties exhibited distinct changes across the intertidal zones on island beaches. • Consistent patterns of variation were observed in macrofaunal diversity and functional groups across the intertidal zones. • Variations in macrofaunal communities on island beaches were primarily influenced by sand moisture, salinity, and nutrition. • Island beaches are not ecological deserts, they require careful protection. Island beaches, once mistakenly considered as 'ecological deserts', are actually unique ecosystems that support abundant macrofaunal communities. However, limited studies have examined the variations and determinants of macrofaunal communities across the intertidal zones on island beaches, which is crucial for shedding light on the underlying ecological processes and enhancing biodiversity conservation efforts. Here, we explored the variations in macrofaunal communities along sand physico-chemical gradient across four intertidal zones on nine representative beaches, within the largest land-bridge archipelago in eastern China. Our findings revealed that species richness, density, and Shannon-Wiener diversity of macrofaunal communities were notably higher in the lower intertidal zones, exhibiting a positive correlation with elevated levels of sand moisture (M), electrical conductivity (EC), available potassium (AK), and grain size (GS). Conversely, macrofaunal Simpson diversity displayed an inverse pattern, with heightened values observed in the vegetation zone. The Saprophagous, Predaceous, and Omnivorous groups of macrofaunal communities demonstrated an increase with higher levels of EC, AK, and M in the lower intertidal zones. Furthermore, Phytophagous group of macrofaunal communities tended to inhabit the vegetation zones characterized by elevated levels of sand total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and organic carbon (OC). Primarily, our findings indicate that sand nutrition, moisture, and salinity play pivotal roles in shaping the variations of macrofaunal communities on island beaches. These insights offer valuable perspectives into the holistic responses of macrofauna on island beaches to changes in sand physico-chemical properties, serving as a crucial theoretical foundation for the assessment, conservation, and restoration of island beaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3-dimensional (3D) rod-like CuO with nanowire hierarchical structure has been synthesized successfully by a facile ultrasound assisted method combined with thermal conversion, using rouaite Cu 2 (OH) 3 NO 3 as the precursor. The product was characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM and FT-IR spectrum. Its optical properties were studied by means of UV–Vis diffuse reflectance absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. Series of control experiments have been performed to explore influencing factors to the product morphologies and a possible formation mechanism has been proposed. The results show that each CuO rod assembled by tens of nanowires is 200–300 nm in diameter and about 1000 nm in length. Each nanowire contains many interconnected nanoparticles with sizes of about 15 nm. Particularly, ultrasound processing was found beneficial to the formation of the 3D rod-like CuO with nanowire hierarchical structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simulated wastewater containing the monoazo dye C.I. Acid Orange 7 was electrolytically treated using a three-dimensional electrode reactor equipped with granular activated carbon as particle electrode. The activated carbon fiber cathode was more effective than either a graphite or a stainless steel cathode due to its larger surface area which was beneficial to the electrogeneration of H2O2. Under the reaction conditions of 20V and 3.0gL−1 Na2SO4 at pH 3.0, decrease in the COD of up to 80%, and in the TOC by up to 72% were achieved and almost the complete decolorization of the dye was secured after 180min electrolysis. Furthermore, decay of the dye followed a pseudo-first-order reaction in the first 60min treatment. The three-dimensional electrode system generated more hydroxyl radicals than a two-dimensional system due to the formation of microelectrodes under applied high potential. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]